Clothes-line prop.



S. G. LEYSON.

CLOTHES LINE PROP. APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1915.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

A \TTORNIS Y.

' description which follows,

also slitted longitudinally,

SACKVILLE G. LEYSON, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

CLOTHES-LINE PROP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

Application filed April 3, 1915. Serial No. 18,899.

prop may be readily and quickly adjusted to different lengths for raisingor lowering the clothes-line. .And a further object is to provide novel means for gripping the clothes-line for preventing the accidental detachment of theprop, and also simple means for securing the telescoping parts in either the extended or contracted .position.

The various features and parts of the invention will be understood from the detailed and by reference to accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a view showing my improved prop applied to a clothes-line. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the complete device. Fig. 3 is a enlarged broken central longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4 is across-section, taken on line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view; showing the manner of disengaging the prop from Fig. 6 is a view; showing a modification of the spring.

In the drawing, the main body of the prop, preferably consists of a tube 2, which may be either metal or wood. The lower end of the body 2 is closed by a plug, preferably wooden, the stem 3 of which is driven into the end of the hollow body and secured thereto in any suitable manner. The outer end of-the plug/comprises a knob 4, into which is driven a spike 5, the latter engaging the ground for preventing the skidding or slipping of the prop after it has been set. The body 2 may be of any suitable length, butin practice it is 5 to 7 feet long. The opposite end of the body 2 is preferably slightly tapering, as at 6, and this portion is as at 7, so as to allow it to contract slightly as will be explained. The prop has an extensible part comprising a smaller tube 8, which preferably slidably fits into the body 2. The ex- G. LEYSON,

the clothes-linel tension 8 may be either metal or wood, and

it may be solid, instead of hollow as shown. The telescoping parts 2 and 8 are held in any desired position relatively to each other for increasing or the prop, by means of a collar 9, and a setscrew 10. The collar 9 receives the tapering end 6 of the body 2. The screw 10 is threaded into the collar, and its inner end engages the outer surface (6) of the tube 2, and as the screw is driven inwardly, it forces the part 6 tightly against the tube 8 and holds the latter rigidly in place. The slots or kerfs 7 permit a slight contraction of the end 6, particularly on the side facing the screw when the latter is driven inwardly. This renders the grip upon the tube 8 more efiective. The outer end of the extensionpart 8 is fitted with a similar plug, com-. prising a stem 11 which is driven into the end of the said tube. The exposed portion of the plug comprises a knob 12, into which is inserted a screw-hook 13. The hook 13 .is intended to grip the clothes-line A,-and a spring 14 prevents the hook from being accidentally detached from the line. The spring 14: is preferably first inserted in a hole in the end of the knob 12, and then the hook is screwed into the same hole, and

holds the spring in place. The exposed portion of the spring 14'is resiliently held against the open side or gap of the hook 13, and its extreme outer end preferably extends beyond the hook for forming a crotch 15.

To apply the prop to a clothes-line, the hook 13 is brought into contact with the line in suchmanner that the line enters the crotch 15 (see Fig. 3), then by a slight upward movement of the prop, the line forces the spring away from the hook (see Fig. 3), after which the/spring rei ngages the hook and prevents the accidental release of the line.

To detach the prop from the line the operator takes hold of the prop and manipulates it, until the line is positioned in the gap of the hook and engages the inner side of the spring, then a slight pressure on the pole or prop, in the right direction, causes the spring to yield outwardly away from the hook, which allows the line to become free (seefull and dotted lines Fig. The collar 9 is preferably snugly fitted on to the body, but not permanently secured to the body. The end 6 of the body is slightly decreasing the length ofv for the parts 2 and 8, but it is understood,

that any other suitable metal, or wood, may be used if desired. By the employment of the hook 13, and the spring 14, the prop cannot be accidentally disconnected from the clothes-line when the wind sways the line back and forth, and in case the line drags the prop from one position to another, the spike 5 will pierce the ground and prevent the line from sagging.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A clothes-line prop comprising a body part, having a slotted tapering end portion, a member telescoping in the body and carrying means for engaging the clothes-line, a collar fitted around the body having a tapering bore therein to accord with the slitted tapering end portion of the said body and constituting a wedging means for the slotted tapered end, and means carried by the collar for holding the slotted end of thebody in its contracted position for retaining the telescoped parts in different positions of adjustment.

2. A clothes-line prop, comprising abodv having tube telescoping therewith, means for holding the tubein different positions of adjustment, a plug carried by the tube having clearance space therein, a line engaging hook secured to the plug,'a spring associated with the hook, to prevent the accidental displacement of the hook from the line, fastened to the plug and passing through the 'clearance'space, whereby the spring is permitted to yield outwardly through the clearance space to allow the line to be attached to the hook and whereby said spring is prevented from being permanently bent,

3. A clothes-line prop, comprising a, body, a tube telescoping with the body, means for retaining the telescoping tube in different positions of adjustment, a plug secured to the tube, the said plug having an aperture therein, a line inclosing and retaining means carried by the plug comprising a guard spring inserted within the aperture and an engaging hook having a shank part extending within the aperture and bearing against the spring to constitute an anchoring means therefor. l

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SACKVILLE G. LEYSON, 

